Year-end, major TV networks’ New Year countdown galas were excellent opportunities for entertainment industry celebrities to gain exposure.
Yuntu TV, Nanxing TV, Dongyang TV—three renowned stations used every means to compete for popular stars. FTM, as the currently hottest boy group, naturally received enthusiastic invitations from all three stations simultaneously.
Xu Baichuan also benefited, becoming one of the industry’s most respected managers. Major TV stations all wanted to court him for more bookings. Besides New Year galas, numerous variety shows also extended olive branches to FTM.
Appearance fees rose with the tide. Xu Baichuan’s mood was excellent recently—he could finally hold his head high and negotiate terms with TV stations.
Such as red carpet order, dressing room specifications, stage performance timing, etc.
What made him even happier was that the luxury brand previously in negotiations, seeing FTM’s album sales enter world rankings, finally eliminated concerns and decided to collaborate with FTM.
However, boy groups endorsing luxury brands had never had precedent in the industry.
But FTM was different—they weren’t simple idol boy groups. After going solo, all developed exceptionally well: Mo Xun and Tan Junwen were both hit drama actors who could individually endorse luxury brands without difficulty; Fang Yinnian successfully transitioned to powerhouse singer by conquering the music industry; Tang Che and Fu Fei both had high popularity and excellent temperament.
Hiring FTM as endorsers cost one endorsement fee but brought five high-popularity celebrities.
Buy one, get four free—extremely cost-effective.
Some luxury brands had even hired sports teams as endorsers, so hiring entertainment industry’s popular teams wasn’t absurd. At least FTM’s popularity, image, and ability were comprehensively strong.
After careful consideration, the brand decided to make FTM their endorsers, announcing on Christmas Day.
This brand had several celebrity teams competing previously—no one expected FTM to ultimately win, making countless industry celebrities envious and jealous.
Some celebrities who failed to get endorsements gossiped behind the scenes: “An idol boy group actually endorsing luxury goods—hilarious!”
On announcement day, significant online trolling mocked FTM.
“Industry’s first luxury brand using boy group endorsers—so low!”
“I used to frequently buy their bags—never buying again hehe”
“What were brand executives thinking? Waiting for this group to collapse to earn penalty fees?”
“Five country bumpkins actually endorsing luxury goods? World-class joke.”
“What makes FTM qualified?”
“Fang Yinnian’s new Sound Wave Entertainment is a troll company, right? Data manipulation convinced everyone”
These cold mockeries were quickly countered by sharp fans.
“Any random FTM member has first-tier popularity—five together qualify as world-class boy group. Why can’t they endorse luxury goods?”
“Are some people used to kneeling, can’t stand our Chinese idols getting international endorsements?”
“Fun fact: so-called luxury brands can’t abandon Chinese markets. Chinese consumer groups send them how much money annually—have some awareness, okay? FTM is currently China’s hottest group—what’s wrong with hiring them as endorsers?”
“Your stan’s popularity can’t even beat Mo Xun or Fang Yinnian individually, yet you dare whisper that FTM doesn’t deserve it. Does your stan deserve it? How about looking in a mirror first?”
“Someone failed to grab endorsements and hired trolls, right? Sourness overflows the screen.”
“Blabbing so much—can you even afford this brand? You’re not the target audience—why get excited?”
“FTM’s endorsement announcement day sales exceeded 100 million. Their signature bags sold out nationwide offline—your mockery looks so ridiculous.”
“So what if no boy groups endorsed luxury goods before? FTM is pioneering—deal with it or shut up.”
“…” Trolls were silenced by the rebuttals.
After all these years, what storms hadn’t musical notes weathered? A few trolls had no impact anymore—post-announcement sales would slap everyone’s faces hard.
The brand headquarters’ big boss personally posted Instagram congratulations, with English-language international endorser announcements.
With current market downturns, many luxury goods had seriously declining performance, only maintaining surface prosperity. China was one of the world’s largest consumer markets—hiring FTM was incredibly profitable!
***
As year-end approached, the three major networks’ New Year gala lineup announcements became hot topics. This year, many netizens anticipated which network FTM would choose.
The answer was quickly revealed.
Yuntu TV’s final headline announcement: “Very honored to invite @FTM Fang Yinnian @FTM Fu Fei @FTM Tan Junwen @FTM Tang Che @FTM Mo Xun (alphabetical by surname) to join Yuntu TV’s New Year Gala. Please anticipate the music group’s first post-reunion stage!”
Recently, all three networks competed for FTM, offering first-tier celebrity treatment with high appearance fee quotes. FTM’s final decision for Yuntu TV was manager Xu Baichuan’s call.
Because FTM’s debut first New Year gala was at this network.
Precisely when Fang Yinnian’s microphone malfunctioned and five flustered teenagers frantically switched mics on stage.
Xu Baichuan didn’t mind that Yuntu TV’s formerly fired “staff member’s” “carelessness” had sabotaged Fang Yinnian’s microphone—where you fall, there you rise again.
Yuntu TV offered FTM the best treatment among the three networks with future collaboration possibilities—no reason to refuse.
After confirming the New Year network, the five practiced dances with backup dancers at their base.
They would perform three consecutive songs around midnight, accompanying audiences through New Year countdown.
Usually, networks scheduled guests around midnight were headlining big names. After their performances, galas would end with group finale numbers.
Headlining significance was self-evident.
More remarkably, FTM not only headlined the gala but also the red carpet.
Double headlining—this status treatment would absolutely thrill fans.
December 29th, all five FTM members flew to Yun City together.
Massive fans came to the airport, holding amber “FTM” light signs and huge “Welcome Music Group Return” banners. Over a thousand people formed left and right columns, densely packed with no visible end.
This was absolutely the most massive fan group for New Year gala airport pickups.
The five maintained their unpretentious attitude, removing sunglasses like before and waving to pickup fans, earning deafening “ahhhhh” screams.
Mo Xun actively said: “Thank you everyone for the pickup.”
Fang Yinnian smiled at fans: “It’s too cold outside—go back early and stay safe.”
Fansite photographers’ telephoto lenses captured countless photos of their faces.
Soon, FTM airport photos appeared online.
All five wore long black coats over different colored sweaters with fitted pants. Walking in formation, they looked like modern idol drama male leads collectively mobilizing.
“The escaped male leads from romance novels are here~”
“This is a powerhouse group and also a visual group!”
“Holy crap, these airport photos directly knocked me into the fandom—domestic entertainment still has such handsome boy groups?”
“Above poster just got internet—only now discovering the music group?”
“All 180+ cm complete visual teams are indeed hard to replace. Welcome to the fandom—concerts are coming soon”
“FTM’s fansite photographers have amazing aesthetics—they photographed them so beautifully!”
“Wuwuwu Yinnian’s smile melted me—love seeing him smile~”
“Who are these handsome guys? Oh, my five husbands.”
“Above poster, draw your sword—give me just one~”
“How are you people openly fighting over husbands online? Really improper”
“Stop fighting—I already registered marriage with them [happy]”
“Hahaha above poster, can you simultaneously register marriage with five people? You’ve committed polygamy!”
“My husbands are the most handsome in the world—having five super handsome husbands makes me the happiest man in the world”
“Above poster, you’re a male fan also competing with us for husbands [shocked]”
“…Are musical notes all crazy today?”
“Album release drove one batch crazy, airport appearance drove another batch crazy, concerts will probably drive another batch crazy [dog head]”
“Music group finally reunited—letting fans who’ve waited years go crazy is fine”
“Joining the crazy queue, I want to mindlessly praise my husbands’ handsome photos!”
#FTM Airport Photos# was pushed to trending by countless fans.
Passersby clicking in—indeed very handsome!
Five tall, long-legged handsome guys in black coats walking shoulder-to-shoulder out of the airport looked exactly like filming an idol drama.
This group was worth following!
***
The New Year’s gala gathered many stars. Over the next two days, the five FTM members stayed at hotels near the venue, cooperating with the TV station through multiple rehearsals.
In the blink of an eye, December 31st arrived—New Year’s Day.
In the morning, FTM’s five members photographed a set of pictures at the hotel, posting on their studio’s official Weibo.
What surprised fans—they were all wearing haute couture formal wear!
The luxury brand they’d recently signed as endorsers very generously provided five specially custom-made formal suits with beautiful gold hand embroidery and diamond embellishments. The five’s clothing designs differed slightly—all black-gold combinations with long capes behind the suits, standing there like noble princes.
Many celebrity red carpet haute couture outfits were weird and wonderful—celebrities with disastrous red carpet photos were abundant each year. But FTM’s five had tall builds, long legs, and excellent temperament. When they put on haute couture and walked shoulder-to-shoulder toward the red carpet, even media reporters accustomed to handsome men and beautiful women felt their eyes brighten—
These five handsome guys standing in a row were truly eye-catching.
Photographers below clicked shutters nonstop, with the host very excited: “Walking toward us next is domestic entertainment’s top group—reunited FTM! Welcome the music group to our Yuntu TV New Year red carpet scene!”
Many livestream viewers flooded the screen.
“FTM actually headlined this year’s red carpet? Is their status really this high now?”
“Red carpet order represents industry recognition of celebrity status—undoubtedly, the music group’s status has risen”
“Who can challenge 60 million album sales?”
“Tan Junwen and Mo Xun are also blockbuster drama male leads!”
“Fang Yinnian is Chinese Good Songs champion with personal album collections exceeding 10 million”
“Tang Che formed a rock band, Xiao Fei’s variety show after broadcast also has good popularity!”
“Each individually has first-tier status—five combined, doubled status is normal”
“All wearing haute couture formal suits with capes—are they attending a gala or ascending to thrones?”
“Black-gold formal wear really has style!”
“Five handsome guys have such good skin condition—no visible acne marks”
Media outlets’ red carpet candid photo comparisons showed FTM’s five in outstanding condition among all celebrities—they were only 23-24 years old, very young, plus recent regular schedules made their skin condition absolutely perfect.
Forum “New Year Gala Red Carpet Candid Photo Selection” saw FTM’s votes far ahead.
Many passersby sighed: “Last time they came to Yuntu TV’s New Year event, they walked the red carpet early wearing unknown brand clothes, all looking very green. Now they truly have major star presence”
“Media reporters below were so enthusiastic—too many questions to answer”
“Back then they were ignored small-time groups, now they’re domestic entertainment’s top group”
FTM accepted interviews in the red carpet area, enthusiastically surrounded by media reporters.
Everyone asked many questions about new albums and concert plans. The five answered with calm expressions, smiling as they accepted flashbulb baptism below.
Now they no longer felt stage fright walking red carpets.
Just like netizen evaluations—they were top-tier major celebrities!
***
Shortly after finishing the red carpet and returning to dressing rooms, the New Year gala officially began.
FTM naturally had independent dressing rooms this time—the largest one. Xu Baichuan brought makeup artists inside. After the red carpet, everyone removed haute couture outer jackets, changing into comfortable casual clothes since they’d perform very late and formal wear was too inconvenient for movement.
The five leisurely watched the show in the backstage, eating snacks.
Suddenly, the dressing room door was knocked. Mo Xun opened it, seeing someone who surprised everyone.
Mo Xun asked puzzledly: “Qu Yan?”
Former Sonic boy group’s center visual main vocalist—they seemed to have no connection with this person?
Qu Yan had a very aggressive face, wearing extremely glamorous makeup today with red eyeshadow extending diagonally toward temples, looking like a fairy. His style was always like this, but why was he looking for FTM?
Fang Yinnian politely asked: “Hello, do you need something from us?”
Qu Yan raised an eyebrow, walking directly toward Fang Yinnian and stopping before him: “Yinnian, I have some things I want to say privately. Can you come out with me? My dressing room is just ahead—let’s chat there.”
Mo Xun immediately became alert: “What can’t be said here?”
Fang Yinnian didn’t want to go to his dressing room for private conversation but couldn’t directly refuse face-to-face, looking at Qu Yan with some difficulty.
Qu Yan suddenly laughed lightly: “What are you afraid of? Will I poison Fang Yinnian or eat him?”
Everyone: “…”
Tan Junwen squinted jokingly: “After all, you were once rivals—your sudden visit makes our wariness normal.”
Qu Yan shrugged: “Sonic boy group was prepared for disbandment from establishment day, so I never considered you rivals. Conversely, Fang Yinnian fits my aesthetic perfectly with my favorite voice type—my alternate account has followed him for five years.”
He then opened his phone, showing Fang Yinnian his alternate account.
Following days: over 1700.
Everyone: “…”
Opening alternate accounts to secretly follow competitors—so typical.
After Sonic boy group disbanded, most popular member Qu Yan had long gone solo. He now released personal albums conquering music industry tracks—developing quite well among idols.
Fang Yinnian smiled: “Thanks for following—let’s add each other as friends.”
He actively took out his phone, scanning to add Qu Yan as a friend.
Only then was Qu Yan satisfied, putting away his phone and lowering his voice: “I’m looking for you because I have a secret to tell you… Forget it, I’ll just say it here since your teammates aren’t gossipers.”
He paused: “Four years ago at Yuntu TV’s New Year event, your microphone broke, right? Did you suspect Sonic boy group did it?”
Fu Fei said straightforwardly: “Correct. Your group was also at Yuntu TV’s New Year event then, in direct competition with us. We suspected you did it.”
Qu Yan glanced at Fu Fei, saying directly: “It was Tao Yizhou.”
Everyone: “!!!”
Qu Yan said: “That day, my manager made me engage in CP fan service with the captain, dancing intimate duets on stage. I was annoyed, so I went out wandering around.”
“Then I accidentally saw Tao Yizhou’s manager leaving the microphone technical room, chatting with the employee who later switched Fang Yinnian’s microphone and was fired by Yuntu TV.”
Everyone: “…”
Actually when Chen Mian said her in-ear monitors broke while competing with Tao Yizhou, Fang Yinnian had suspected Tao Yizhou and privately discussed it with Mo Xun. But they had no evidence and couldn’t say much.
Unexpectedly, it really was Tao Yizhou!
Qu Yan continued: “Perhaps your debut made Tao Yizhou very crisis-conscious? He always considered you a potential rival because his ‘musical genius’ persona was company-funded marketing, while your voice was better than his, you could write songs, more talented than him. He probably felt you’d replace him, so he undermined you.”
Learning these truths, Fang Yinnian felt chills down his spine.
Fortunately, he’d debuted with FTM back then. If he’d debuted solo from the start, completely competing with Tao Yizhou’s development path, how would the opposing team have smeared him? Fang Yinnian dared not imagine.
Everything seemed like the best arrangement from fate.
Because he had teammates, even when microphones broke, he could exchange with teammates on stage.
If he’d stood alone on stage, he’d probably be like Chen Mian back then—only able to accept bad luck.
This person was truly vicious enough.
Qu Yan continued: “I’ve long known his background was powerful—his uncle is Sheng Yao’s largest shareholder. He bought at least five songs from a friend of mine, then claimed them as original creations.”
“As for later plagiarizing your songs, it was actually to force you out, making the company blacklist you. Otherwise, he could buy excellent songs for tens of thousands from outside—why specifically target your works?”
Fang Yinnian: “…”
This point he hadn’t considered.
Back then he’d also found it strange—why did Tao Yizhou insist on plagiarizing his songs? Buying songs from unknown producers for money would be safer and cheaper, right?
Now he finally understood.
So Tao Yizhou knew his unyielding personality and wanted to force him to actively leave Sheng Yao?
Forcing away potential competitive rivals was indeed something Tao Yizhou could do.
However, Tao Yizhou probably never expected Fang Yinnian to return, with FTM even reuniting… while he himself completely collapsed.
Mo Xun frowned: “He really schemed everything, using all his energy against industry peers.”
Qu Yan exhaled, smiling: “This matter has been bottled up in my heart for years—only now that Tao Yizhou completely collapsed do I dare speak. Actually when I encountered you in the bathroom back then, I wanted to warn you, but with Jin Yiyang that big mouth around, and not knowing exactly what Tao Yizhou’s manager wanted with the staff, I couldn’t say much.”
“Only later when that staff member was fired due to the microphone problem did I figure everything out.”
“He definitely switched your microphone.”
Fang Yinnian was silent for a moment, then smiled and said: “Thank you for telling me all this.”
Qu Yan squinted his eyes and said: “You’re welcome. I used to be quite jealous of you. Same as boy group main vocalists, you had so many good teammates around you while I was surrounded by backstabbing and scheming. Even my former CP partner designed to trap me when we disbanded, trying to purify CP fans.”
Fang Yinnian: “…”
Sonic group’s plastic brotherhood and fake CP ultimately all ended in tragedy.
Actually, Qu Yan being able to debut as center in survival shows showed real ability—staying in that group would have dragged him down. Now that he’d developed independently, his popularity had further improved.
Qu Yan smiled: “But now, I’m no longer jealous of you. Because I think you’re very courageous and truly talented—you deserve all beautiful things.”
His gaze swept over the several teammates present: “Sonic has long disbanded, Star Entertainment’s two groups are all show and no substance. Domestic boy groups will depend on you from now on—hope you can persist longer.”
***
After Qu Yan left, everyone had complex emotions.
Fu Fei couldn’t help cursing: “Damn, that bastard Tao Yizhou actually did so many wicked things behind our backs!”
Tang Che said coldly: “He got what he deserved.”
Mo Xun looked at Fang Yinnian with some heartache, asking quietly: “Does suddenly hearing all this make you feel bad?”
Fang Yinnian shook his head: “Not bad—everything’s in the past. I’m actually quite happy Qu Yan could tell me the truth. The mastermind who schemed against us back then has finally surfaced. Tao Yizhou has now completely collapsed and left the entertainment industry—we don’t need to worry about being framed by him again.”
Mo Xun reminded: “This industry has many underhanded methods. With our current popularity and status, no one dares easily tamper with our performances. But everyone should still be self-disciplined privately—don’t get caught with any dirt.”
Tan Junwen sighed emotionally: “Sigh, being a celebrity really isn’t easy, especially during the struggling period—one pit per step, could bury you anytime.”
Fu Fei smiled: “But after becoming A-list, there are more good people around!”
Tang Che said: “Exactly, fewer pits too. TV stations beg us to appear on shows—naturally they won’t offend us.”
This was why everyone in the entertainment industry desperately wanted to become famous.
Besides realizing dreams, all treatment improved after becoming famous. More and more good people appeared around you, major TV stations would actively curry favor, endorsements and resources would queue up to find you, careers naturally becoming smoother.
This industry had always been survival of the fittest.
Fortunately, they’d endured together.
***
At 11:45 PM, amid the entire audience’s screams, FTM’s five members officially took the stage.
They performed three consecutive songs.
First, all wearing white suits, technical showcase “Far Away” with all five singing fully live. Fang Yinnian and Tang Che’s coordinated falsetto superhigh notes gave the entire audience goosebumps, nearly lifting off their scalps.
The livestream was flooded with “6666.”
“Worthy of being the music group—vocals are incredible [thumbs up]”
“This song’s cover difficulty is off the charts—I tried and couldn’t reach it at all”
“Singing live like this, they could compete for Vocal King, right?”
“Congratulations on the music group’s return—sounds so amazing ahhh!”
After finishing “Far Away,” they barely rested before immediately following with the second ballad from their new album, “Spring Blossoms.” This song wasn’t the title track but was appropriate for New Year galas with very warm style and beautiful five-part harmonies.
“Long-missed harmonies ahhh finally back [crying]”
“Before, every New Year I most anticipated FTM’s stages”
“So good—the music group is accompanying our New Year again”
“When these five harmonize, anything they sing sounds super beautiful”
After “Spring Blossoms” ended, suddenly over ten backup dancers came on stage as passionate musical rhythms began, with backup instructors performing dances.
FTM’s five took the opportunity to go down via lift platforms, quickly changing performance outfits.
They removed their white ballad suits, changing into red performance costumes specially prepared for “Nirvana’s” debut performance, with phoenix wing flame patterns on the clothes.
When lift platforms returned to ground level and lights suddenly blazed, the entire venue erupted in deafening screams.
Such gorgeous styling—a never-before-seen style!
Fang Yinnian stood in center position, his clear voice echoing throughout the stadium—
“Ancient legends echo through time and space
Phoenix silhouettes constantly swaying
It once experienced suffering and sorrow
Nearly forgotten beneath dark night”
This dance segment’s choreography was also beautiful.
Chinese-style dance design with uncomplicated but fluid, graceful movements. Fang Yinnian’s ballet foundation made this section especially beautiful—he imitated some bird movements, spreading arms with elegant grace as if he could fly to heaven, plus the backup dancers’ uniform performance was truly pleasing to watch.
Boy group dances could be performed like this? Many audience members felt surprised.
Tang Che sang the second verse.
“Years carved vicissitudes all over its body
Wind and rain constantly wounded its frame
But its proud soul never withered
Always awaiting rebirth’s light”
Tan Junwen moved to center position, beginning handsome rap.
The song’s rhythm turned intense with dance movements becoming carefree and bold. Amid strongly rhythmic drum beats, Tan Junwen sang and danced, rapidly igniting the entire stage atmosphere!
“Phoenix awaits nirvana in blazing fire
Like people awaiting transformation in adversity
Painful memories are its medals
Every scar carved with its tenacity
No matter how winding and long the road ahead
It only raises its head flying toward higher distances”
Magnificent bells and drums appeared in accompaniment while on big screens, the phoenix divine bird spread wings soaring. LED stage lights rapidly changed as if igniting roaring flames!
FTM’s five with massive backup dancers, Mo Xun came to center position, dancing tonight’s most handsome knife formation dance amid blazing fire.
They held red microphones harmonizing together—
“Phoenix nirvana reborn through fire
Spreading wings ascending to heights
It shakes off all old wounds
Starting new journeys with glory
Phoenix nirvana reborn through fire
Light will illuminate everyone
Ancient divine bird’s unyielding soul
Legendary stories will forever remain”
FTM top group’s return, second album’s title track “Nirvana” with lyrics and composition by Fang Yinnian.
Written about phoenix.
Yet wasn’t it about themselves?
Livestream audiences watching this passionate music and dance, many had tears in their eyes.
—The phoenix nirvana legend will forever spread through the world.
—FTM boy group’s experiences would similarly become the entertainment industry’s most spectacular legendary story.
**
![After losing all his wealth, the ancestor rose from his coffin [BL]](https://novels.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Your-paragraph-text-1.png "After losing all his wealth, the ancestor rose from his coffin [BL]")
